Bill Burch bought an Ezra Brooks-brand bourbon decanter in the shape of the WuShock mascot in 1971. In early October this year, he'll bring that bottle back to Wichita for a toast with his Wichita State University football teammates.
Burch played linebacker for the Shockers in 1970 as a senior. As fate would have it, a knee injury kept him from traveling to Utah State on Oct. 2. He had expected to travel with the team, but instead was forced to stay home and heal. On that day, the Martin 4-0-4 airliner that carried the Shocker starters crashed near Silver Plume, Colorado, killing 31 people – 14 student-athletes, 14 staff and boosters, and three crew members.